Method and apparatus for selectively displaying additional information relating to broadcast information

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for displaying a primary display and a window containing additional information is provided. The apparatus contains a display device, a displaying mechanism, and an exposing mechanism. The display device has a screen, and the displaying mechanism displays the primary display on the screen. The exposing mechanism generates and displays the window containing the additional information on the screen such that the window is located underneath the primary display while the primary display is displayed on the screen and is exposed by removing the primary display from on top of the window. A method which is performed by the apparatus is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for selectivelydisplaying additional information relating to program information and toa method employed by the apparatus. More particularly, the inventionrelates to an apparatus and method for displaying information relatingto program information and contained in a window which is located“underneath” or “beside” the program information and which can beselectively displayed. The present invention may be illustrativelyembodied in a cable television system in which a detailed description ofa particular program is contained in a window that is located underneathor beside an actual broadcast program, a menu, or other type of screendisplayed on a television and which can be exposed when a viewer inputsan appropriate command to the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Early developments in television technology have been made toenable television systems to combine two or more types of media (e.g.text, graphics, video, etc.) and display the combined media as a singlecomposite picture. The composite picture generated by such systems mayinclude the names of television announcers, news flashes, or emergencybroadcast messages superimposed over a television broadcast program. Anexample of a typical composite picture 500 in which a televisionannouncer's name 502 and other related information 504 are superimposedupon a broadcast program 506 is shown in FIG. 7. More recent examples offorming a composite picture from two or more types of media includeseemlessly blending animated text and graphics into a video program inorder to present the illusion that human beings are interacting withcartoon characters.

[0003] Superimposing additional information on broadcast programsbecomes significantly more difficult if the information needs to becombined with a live broadcast program. In such case, the additionalinformation must be superimposed on the program in real-time so that thecomposite picture is generated as the live television program is beingbroadcast. In order to combine the various media in real-time, studiofacilities have been created, and producers in such facilities have toclosely monitor the live broadcast program and superimpose theadditional information “on the fly” to ensure that the informationappropriately corresponds to the subject matter of the program currentlybeing broadcast. However, creating a live composite broadcast programvia the studio facilities is labor intensive and expensive.

[0004] The display of additional information becomes more complicatedwhen the information is to be displayed only when it is requested by auser. Such information is customarily called information “on-demand”. Inthis interactive case, the additional information is typically computergenerated broadcast data that is synchronized with a corresponding videosignal via a timer and is hidden from the user until it is requested. Asa result, the information does not obscure or hide portions of thetelevision screen when the user does not wish to view it.

[0005] An example of displaying information “on-demand” may occur duringa sports broadcast program. As the user is watching the sports program,he or she may press a button on a remote control to request the score ofthe televised sporting event to be displayed, even when the producer ofthe sports program has decided not to display it. When the button ispressed, a graphic overlay containing the score is superimposed over thesports program.

[0006] One of the problems that exists with displaying additionalinformation “on-demand” or as part of a composite broadcast picture isdetermining how to display the information on the screen together withthe program. In the past, the additional information has been displayedin various manners.

[0007] For instance, the information may simply be provided in an opaquewindow 600 over the broadcast program 602 as shown in FIG. 8. However,overlaying the opaque window 600 upon the program 602 hides a portion ofthe program 602 and thus, is not aesthetically pleasing to the user. Inorder to attempt to overcome the above disadvantages, some systems havedisplayed the information in a transparent or semi-transparent window700 that is overlaid upon the broadcast program 702 as shown in FIG. 9.However, displaying the additional information in such manner oftencreates visual conflicts between the additional information and theprogram 702 and is confusing to the user. Similarly, the additionalinformation has been superimposed upon the program in a movingtransparent window to give the illusion that information is displayed ona transparent “ticker tape”. In such case, the information stillconflicts with the broadcast program, and the movement of theinformation across the screen is distracting to the user.

[0008] In addition to the methods above, the additional information maybe displayed as shown in FIG. 10. In the figure, the broadcast program800 is compressed in size to occupy only a portion of the screen, andthe remaining portions 802 of the screen are used to display theadditional information. Although this display method has someadvantages, the broadcast program 800 must be compressed to display theadditional information, and thus, fine visual details which are intendedto be displayed when the program is broadcast on the entire screen maynot be perceivable by the user.

[0009] Accordingly, a need exists for a new method and apparatus fordisplaying additional information on a television which is aestheticallypleasing to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In order to overcome the problems above, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a new method and apparatus for displayingadditional information on a television which is aesthetically pleasingto the user.

[0011] To accomplish the above object, an apparatus for displaying aprimary display and a window containing additional information isprovided. The apparatus comprises a display device, a displaying means,and an exposing means. The display device has a screen, and thedisplaying means displays the primary display on the screen. Theexposing means generates and displays the window containing theadditional information on the screen such that the window is locatedunderneath the primary display while the primary display is displayed onthe screen and is exposed by removing the primary display from on top ofthe window.

[0012] To further accomplish the above object, a method for displaying aprimary display and a window containing additional information isprovided. In the method, a primary display is displayed on a screen of adisplay, and a window containing the additional information isgenerated. The window is displayed on the screen such that the window islocated underneath the primary display while the primary display isdisplayed on the screen and is exposed by removing the primary displayfrom on top of the window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent by referring to the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and the corresponding drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cable television system;

[0015]FIG. 2 is an example of a set top terminal contained in the cabletelevision system illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3A illustrates an electronic program guide (“EPG”) displayedvia the set top terminal shown in FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 3B illustrates the display of an initial portion ofadditional information on the screen according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3C illustrates the display of a subsequent portion of theadditional information on the screen according to the first embodimentof the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3D illustrates the display of all of the additionalinformation on the screen according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0020]FIG. 4A illustrates a broadcast program displayed via the set topterminal shown in FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4B illustrates the display of an initial portion ofadditional information on the screen according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0022]FIG. 4C illustrates the display of a subsequent portion of theadditional information on the screen according to the second embodimentof the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 4D illustrates the display of all of the additionalinformation on the screen according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0024]FIG. 5A illustrates a broadcast program displayed via the set topterminal shown in FIG. 2;

[0025]FIG. 5B illustrates the display of an initial portion ofadditional information on the screen according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0026]FIG. 5C illustrates the display of a subsequent portion of theadditional information on the screen according to the third embodimentof the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 5D illustrates the display of all of the additionalinformation on the screen according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0028]5FIG. 6A illustrates a broadcast program or EPG displayed via theset top terminal shown in FIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 6B illustrates the display of an initial portion ofadditional information on the screen according to a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0030]FIG. 6C illustrates the display of a subsequent portion of theadditional information on the screen according to the fourth embodimentof the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 6D illustrates the display of another subsequent portion ofthe additional information on the screen according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 6E illustrates the display of all of the additionalinformation on the screen according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates a composite picture in which a televisionannouncer's name and other related information are superimposed upon abroadcast program;

[0034]FIG. 8 illustrates an opaque window which is overlaid upon abroadcast program and contains additional information;

[0035]FIG. 9 illustrates a transparent window which is overlaid upon abroadcast program and contains additional information; and

[0036]FIG. 10 illustrates a television screen in which the broadcastpicture is compressed in size to occupy only a portion of the screen andthe remaining portions of the screen are used to display additionalinformation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The following description of the preferred embodiments disclosesspecific configurations, components, graphic arrangements, etc. However,the preferred embodiments are merely examples of the present invention,and thus, the specific components and graphic arrangements describedbelow are only used to more easily describe such embodiments and toprovide an overall understanding of the present invention. Accordingly,one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present inventionis not limited to the specific components and values described below.Furthermore, the descriptions of various features and structures of thepresent invention which would be known to one skilled in the art areomitted for the sake of clarity and brevity.

[0038] Broadcast systems (e.g. cable television systems) have beendesigned to broadcast information (e.g. television programs) to thehomes of many subscribers. As shown in FIG. 1, a typical cabletelevision system contains a cable headend 2, a distribution network 4,and a plurality of set top terminals 6, 8, and 10. The set top terminals6, 8, and 10 are respectively located in various user stations (e.g.homes, offices, hotels, etc.), and a television 12 is attached each oneof the terminals 6, 8, and 10. (For the sake of clarity, FIG. 1 onlyshows one television 12 attached to the set top terminal 6).

[0039] The headend 2 receives television programming from externalsources (i.e. satellite broadcasts, cable broadcasts, magnetic tapes,laser discs, etc.) and/or generates television programming locally, andthe programming is output to the distribution network 4. The headend 2also receives digital data from external sources and/or generates suchdata locally, and the data is likewise output to the distributionnetwork 4. The digital data may be inserted into and transmitted withthe television programming. If the programming corresponds to analogtelevision signals, the digital data may be inserted into the verticalblanking interval of the signals. On the other hand, if the programmingcorresponds to digital television signals, the digital data may beinserted into the signal in a multiplex fashion. Alternatively oradditionally, the digital data may be transmitted to the distributionnetwork 4 in parallel with the television programming on a separatededicated frequency. The data may contain schedule informationcorresponding to various current and future broadcast programs as wellas other types of data.

[0040] The distribution network 4 outputs the television programming anddigital data to the set top terminals 6, 8, and 10 which process theinformation. An illustrative embodiment of a set top terminal is shownin FIG. 2 and contains first and second tuners 16 and 20, adecoder/demodulator 18, a central processing unit (“CPU”) 22, a memorymanagement unit (“MMU”) 24, a random access memory (“RAM”) 28, a readonly memory (“ROM”) 30, and a non-volatile RAM (“NVRAM”) 32.

[0041] The first tuner 20 is tuned to a dedicated channel on which thedigital data containing the schedule information is transmitted. In anillustrative example, the schedule information contains the channel onwhich each of the available television programs will be broadcast, thetime period during which each program will be broadcast, and the titleof each program. Also, the schedule information contains a detailedprogram description for each program and a category which classifieseach program. Once the schedule information is received by the tuner 20,the CPU 22 stores it in the RAM 28.

[0042] The second tuner 16 receives a plurality of broadcast programstransmitted on a plurality of channels and selectively tunes to aparticular channel based on a tuning control signal output from the CPU22. Furthermore, various information such as event code information maybe embedded or otherwise incorporated in a broadcast program. The eventcode information identifies the program in which it is contained and isextracted from the program when the program is tuned by the tuner 16.Then, the information is stored in the NVRAM 32, periodicallytransmitted back to the head end 2 via a reverse data channel (notshown), and used for viewer programming statistics and billing purposes.

[0043] As noted above, schedule information may be additionally oralternatively incorporated into the broadcast programs which are inputby the tuner 16. In such case, the information is extracted from thetuned programs and stored in the RAM 28. Thus, the first tuner 20 is notrequired to input the schedule information and may be omitted from theset top terminal.

[0044] The broadcast program tuned by the tuner 16 is output to thedecoder/demodulator 18. If the broadcast program corresponds to ananalog video signal, the decoder/demodulator 18 decodes the signal via aparticular process (e.g. an NTSC decoding process), and the decodedsignal is converted into a digital signal via an analog/digitalconverter (not shown). On the other hand, if the broadcast programcorresponds to a digital video signal, the decoder/demodulator 18demodulates the signal via a certain process (e.g. a QAM demodulationprocess), and the demodulated signal is decompressed via a certainprocedure (e.g. an MPEG-2 decompression procedure).

[0045] The video signal output from the decoder/demodulator 18 issupplied to an encoder 38 via an on screen display (“OSD”) circuit 26and encoded into an encoded signal via a certain process (e.g. an NTSCor PAL encoding process). Then, the encoded signal can be output as abaseband signal or modulated into an RF signal by a modulator 40 andoutput to the television 12.

[0046] An input/output (“I/O”) subsystem 34, infrared (“IR”) receiver36, and the remote control 14 are provided to enable a user to inputvarious commands to the set top terminal to instruct it to operate in adesired fashion. For example, if the user wishes to change the channelto which the second tuner 16 is tuned, he or she can press a certainbutton or buttons on the remote control 14, and the remote control 14outputs a distinct IR signal. The IR receiver 36 inputs the IR signaland outputs a corresponding signal to the I/O subsystem 34. Thesubsystem 34 processes the signal and outputs a channel changing signalto the CPU 22, and the CPU 22 supplies a tuning control signal to thesecond tuner 16 to instruct it to tune to the appropriate channel.

[0047] While watching a broadcast program on a television 12, the usercan also display an electronic program guide (“EPG”) containing programlistings and other information for current and future broadcastprograms. To activate the EPG while watching a program, the user pressesthe GUIDE button on the remote control 14. As a result, the CPU 22searches through the RAM 28, extracts the relevant schedule information,and outputs such information to the OSD circuit 26 so that it can bedisplayed on the television 12.

[0048] In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 3A, the EPG comprises atwo-dimensional grid 100 which is displayed in a lower half of thetelevision screen. In the grid, five channels (i.e. KDJT, KDUG, KJKS,KJSH, and KLSH) 102 are arranged in the vertical direction, and threetimes slots (i.e. 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm) 104 are arranged in thehorizontal direction. Each of the channels 102 and at least one of thetime slots 104 define a cell 106 containing a program listingcorresponding to a current or future program. Also, the length of eachcell 106 is based on the time duration of its corresponding program. Forinstance, a program which is one half hour long occupies the columndefined by only one time slot 104. On the other hand, a program which isan hour long occupies two columns defined two time slots 104. (For thesake of clarity, the titles of the programs are omitted from the cells106 of the EPG illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B)

[0049] The upper left portion 108 of the EPG contains informationregarding the currently highlighted program. In the example shown inFIG. 3A, the upper left portion 108 indicates that the cell 106corresponding to the RUNNING WILD program broadcast on channel KJKS ishighlighted on the grid 100. Namely, the information in the upper leftportion 108 contains the title of the highlighted program (i.e. RUNNINGWILD), the time period during which such program is broadcast (i.e. 6:00to 8:00 pm), the channel on which the program is being broadcast (i.e.KJKS 5), and a brief description of the program. Additionally, theinformation displayed in such portion 108 of the EPG automaticallychanges when the user highlights a different program listing. Thus, theinformation always corresponds to the currently highlighted programlisting.

[0050] The upper right portion 110 of the EPG contains a compressedversion of the television program which was currently tuned by the tuner16 when the EPG was initially displayed on the screen. If the userhighlights a program listing which corresponds to a program other thanthe program currently being tuned by the tuner 16, the upper rightportion 110 of the EPG still continues to display the compressed versionof the currently tuned television program.

[0051] When the user displays the EPG by pressing the GUIDE button, thecursor highlights the program listing which corresponds to the currenttime and the currently tuned channel, and such program listing islocated in the middle row of channels 102 and the leftmost column oftime slots 104. For example, if the current time is 6:13, and theprogram RUNNING WILD broadcast on channel KJKS 5 is currently tuned bythe tuner 16, the program listing contained in the cells 106 relating tothe RUNNING WILD program is highlighted. In other words, the cells 106defined by the time slots 6:00 pm through 7:00 pm and by the channelKJKS 5 are highlighted. In the above example, the RUNNING WILD programis actually broadcast from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. However, since only threetime slots 104 (i.e. 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm) can be displayed onthe EPG at any given time, only the cells 106 defined by the 6:00 pm,6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm time slots 104 are highlighted.

[0052] In order to highlight different program listings on the EPG, theuser can press one or more of the four directional arrow buttons on theremote control 14. For example, if the RUNNING WILD program listing ishighlighted in FIG. 3A and the user presses the up arrow button, theprogram listing (e.g. WORLD REPORT) corresponding to the cell 106defined by the column corresponding to the time slot 6:00 pm and the rowdefined by the channel KDUG is highlighted. As indicated above, when theWORLD REPORT program listing is highlighted, the upper left portion 108of the EPG contains a brief description of the WORLD REPORT program.

[0053] After highlighting a program listing on the EPG, the user canobtain additional information about the corresponding program bypressing the INFO key on the remote control 14. When the INFO key ispressed, the CPU 22 searches though the information stored in the RAM 28to obtain additional program information corresponding to thehighlighted program listing. Alternatively or additionally, the CPU 22could download the additional program information from the head end 2. Aprogram description window 112, which is the same size as the bottomportion of the EPG screen containing the program grid 100, is generatedby the CPU 22 and the OSD circuit 26 and is located “behind” the programgrid 100. Then, the CPU 22 and OSD circuit 26 cause the program grid 100to “slide” off one side of the screen so that the program descriptionwindow 112 is exposed, and the user is able to view the additionalprogram information.

[0054]FIGS. 3A to 3D show an illustrative example of how the programgrid 100 of the EPG slides off the screen to expose the programdescription window 112. FIG. 3A shows the situation when the RUNNINGWILD program listing is highlighted on the EPG immediately before theuser presses the INFO key on the remote control 14. Once the INFO key ispressed, the program grid 100 begins to slide off the right side of thescreen to expose the leftmost portion of the program description window112. (FIG. 3B). The program grid 100 continues to slid off the screen(FIG. 3C) until the program description window 112 is completely exposed(FIG. 3D), and the user can easily view the additional programinformation. As shown in FIG. 3D, the additional program informationcontains a description of the plot of the program, the actors andactresses starring in the program, the director of the program, theproduction date of the program, the duration of the program, and therating of the program.

[0055] As one skilled in the art will readily realize upon reading thepresent application, the display and relative movement between the grid100 and window 112 in the above example (and among the EPG, grid 100,window 112, and/or broadcast program 200 in the following examples) canbe accomplished by using many types of devices and/or software programs.Therefore, not only can the specific means disclosed in FIG. 2 carry outthe above operation, but any other means can be used to perform thefunction.

[0056] Also, the manner in which the program grid 100 slides off thescreen is not limited to the example above. For instance, the grid 100can slide off the left, bottom, or top of the screen. Also, the grid 100does not have to completely slide off the screen to expose the programdescription window 112 and may only need to slide partially off thescreen. Additionally, the grid 100 may not slide off the screen but may“roll up” to expose the program description window 112 locatedunderneath the grid 100. Also, the additional program information is notlimited to the above information and could comprise virtually any typeof information.

[0057] In addition to being located underneath the program grid 100 ofthe EPG, the program description window 112 can be located underneath anactual broadcast program 200 that the user is watching. FIGS. 4A to 4Dshow a illustrative example in which a program description window 112 islocated underneath of the RUNNING WILD broadcast program 200, and theprogram 200 “rolls up” to expose the window 112. FIG. 4A shows thesituation when the RUNNING WILD program 200 is tuned by the tuner 16immediately before the user presses the INFO key on the remote control14. After pressing the INFO key, the program 200 begins to “roll up” thescreen to expose the bottom portion of the program description window112. (FIG. 4B). The RUNNING WILD program 200 continues to “roll up” thescreen (FIG. 4C) until the program description window 112 is completelyexposed (FIG. 4D). Obviously, the broadcast program 200 can “roll up” inany direction to expose the program description window 112. Also, thebroadcast program 200 can completely roll up to expose the window 112 orcan slide off the window 112 in any direction as described above.

[0058] In addition to exposing the program description window 112 viathe above methods, FIGS. 5A to 5D show an example in which the window112 “pushes” the broadcast program 200 off the screen. In FIG. 5A, abroadcast program 200 is displayed before the user presses the INFO key.Once the INFO key is pressed, the program description window 112 beginsto push the broadcast program 200 off the right side of the screen, andthe rightmost portion of the window 112 is exposed. (FIG. 5B). Theprogram description window 112 continues to push the program 200 off thescreen (FIG. 5C) until the program description window 112 movescompletely onto the screen (FIG. 5D). Clearly, the program descriptionwindow 112 can push the broadcast program 200 off the screen in anydirection and does not necessarily have to push the broadcast program200 completely off the screen. Also, the window 112 may be displayed bypushing the program grid 100 of the EPG or the entire EPG off thescreen.

[0059] Another manner in which the program description window 112 can bedisplayed is shown in FIGS. 6A to 6B. FIG. 6A shows a broadcast program200 (or the EPG) before the INFO key is pressed on the remote control14. As shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D, the broadcast program 200 (or the EPG)begins to disintegrate to expose the program description window 112.After a certain period of time, the entire program description window112 is exposed. (FIG. 6E). Instead of causing the entire program 200 (orthe EPG) to disintegrate, only a portion of the program 200 (or the EPG)may disintegrate to expose the window 112.

[0060] Once the program description window 112 is exposed, the user candisplay the whatever previous information was displayed on thetelevision 12 before the window 112 was displayed by pressing any key onthe remote control 14. After pressing any key, the previous informationis restored in a manner that is opposite to the manner in which is theprogram description window 112 was displayed. For example, in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the program grid 100 of the EPGwould slide to the left over the window 112. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 6A to 6E, the broadcast program 200 (or the EPG) would reappearover the program description window 112 in a piecewise fashion.Alternatively, the previous information may immediately reappear in fullover the program description window 112 when any key is pressed on theremote control 14. Also, the previous information may be restored bypressing a particular key (or sequence of keys) on the remote control 14instead of any key.

[0061] The previous description of the preferred embodiments is providedto enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Moreover, various modifications to these embodiments will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use ofinventive faculty. Therefore, the present invention is not intended tobe limited to the embodiments described herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for displaying a primary display anda window containing additional information, comprising: a display devicehaving a screen; displaying means for displaying said primary display onsaid screen; and exposing means for generating and displaying saidwindow containing said additional information on said screen such thatsaid window is located underneath said primary display while saidprimary display is displayed on said screen and is exposed by removingsaid primary display from on top of said window.
 2. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said exposing means exposes said window bysliding said primary display at least partially off of said screen. 3.The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said exposing means slidessaid primary display in a particular direction such that said primarydisplay exits a particular side of screen, and wherein a first portionof said window located furthest away from said particular side of saidscreen is exposed before a second portion of said window located closerto said particular side of said screen is exposed.
 4. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 3, wherein said primary display is a broadcast program.5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said additionalinformation contained in said window relates to said broadcast program.6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said primary display isa computer-generated graphic display.
 7. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said computer-generated graphic display containsinformation relating to a broadcast program, and wherein said additionalinformation contained in said window relates to said broadcast program.8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said exposing meanscauses said primary display to slide off of said window in response to afirst command input from a user via an input device.
 9. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 8, wherein said exposing means ceases displaying saidwindow in response to a second command input from said user via saidinput device.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein saidexposing means slides said primary display back on top of said windowwhen said second command is input after said window is displayed. 11.The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said exposing meansimmediately and entirely redisplays said primary display when saidsecond command is input after said window is displayed.
 12. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exposing means exposessaid window by rolling up at least a portion of said primary display.13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein, said exposing meansrolls up said primary display in a particular direction towards aparticular side of screen, and wherein a first portion of said windowlocated furthest away from said particular side of said screen isexposed before a second portion of said window located closer to saidparticular side of said screen is exposed.
 14. The apparatus as claimedin claim 13, wherein said exposing means rolls up said primary displayin said particular direction such that at least a portion of saidprimary display located furthest away from said particular side of saidscreen is no longer displayed.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13,wherein said primary display is a broadcast program.
 16. The apparatusas claimed in claim 15, wherein said additional information contained insaid window relates to said broadcast program.
 17. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 13, wherein said primary display is acomputer-generated graphic display.
 18. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 17, wherein said computer-generated graphic display containsinformation relating to a broadcast program, and wherein said additionalinformation contained in said window relates to said broadcast program.19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said exposing meanscauses said primary display to roll up off of said window in response toa first command input from a user via an input device.
 20. The apparatusas claimed in claim 19, wherein said exposing means ceases displayingsaid window in response to a second command input from said user viasaid input device.
 21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, whereinsaid exposing means unrolls said primary display over said window whensaid second command is input after said window is displayed.
 22. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said exposing meansimmediately and entirely redisplays said primary display when saidsecond command is input after said window is displayed.
 23. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exposing means exposessaid window by disintegrating at least a portion of said primary displayin a piecewise fashion.
 24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23,wherein said primary display is a broadcast program.
 25. The apparatusas claimed in claim 24, wherein said additional information contained insaid window relates to said broadcast program.
 26. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 23, wherein said primary display is acomputer-generated graphic display.
 27. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 26, wherein said computer-generated graphic display containsinformation relating to a broadcast program, and wherein said additionalinformation contained in said window relates to said broadcast program.28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said exposing meanscauses said primary display to disintegrate off of said window inresponse to a first command input from a user via an input device. 29.The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said exposing means ceasesdisplaying said window in response to a second command input from saiduser via said input device.
 30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29,wherein said exposing means reforms said primary display over saidwindow in a piecewise fashion when said second command is input aftersaid window is displayed.
 31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29,wherein said exposing means immediately and entirely redisplays saidprimary display when said second command is input after said window isdisplayed.
 32. An apparatus for displaying a primary display and awindow containing additional information, comprising: a display devicehaving a screen; displaying means for displaying said primary display onsaid screen; and exposing means for generating and displaying saidwindow containing said additional information, wherein said exposingmeans slides said primary display in a particular direction off saidscreen such that at least a portion of said primary display exits aparticular side of said screen and such that at least a remainingportion of said screen is unoccupied by said primary display, whereinsaid exposing means slides said window onto said screen such that saidwindow occupies at least some of said remaining portion of said screen.33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein said exposing meansslides said primary display off said screen in said particular directionand slides said window onto said screen in said particular direction.34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said exposing meansslides said window onto said screen simultaneously when said primarydisplay is slid off said screen, and wherein a side of said window whichis closest to said particular side of said screen is disposed against aside of said primary display which is furthest from said particular sideof said screen so as to give an appearance that said window pushes saidprimary display off said screen in said particular direction.
 35. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said primary display is abroadcast program.
 36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, whereinsaid additional information contained in said window relates to saidbroadcast program.
 37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, whereinsaid primary display is a computer-generated graphic display.
 38. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein said computer-generatedgraphic display contains information relating to a broadcast program,and wherein said additional information contained in said window relatesto said broadcast program.
 39. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33,wherein said exposing means causes said primary display to slide offsaid screen and causes said window to slide onto said screen in responseto a first command input from a user via an input device.
 40. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein said exposing means ceases displaying said window in response to a second command input from saiduser via said input device.
 41. The apparatus as claimed in claim 40,wherein said exposing means slides said window off of said screen in asecond direction which is opposite to said particular direction andslides said primary display onto said window in said second directionwhen said second command is input after said window is displayed. 42.The apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein said exposing meansimmediately and entirely redisplays said primary display when saidsecond command is input after said window is displayed.
 43. A method fordisplaying a primary display and a window containing additionalinformation, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying said primarydisplay on a screen of a display; (b) generating said window containingsaid additional information; and (c) displaying said window on saidscreen such that said window is located underneath said primary displaywhile said primary display is displayed on said screen and is exposed byremoving said primary display from on top of said window.
 44. The methodas claimed in claim 43, wherein said step (c) comprises the step of:(c1) exposing said window by sliding said primary display at leastpartially off of said screen.
 45. The method as claimed in claim 44,wherein said step (c1) comprises the step of: (c1a) sliding said primarydisplay in a particular direction such that said primary display exits aparticular side of screen, wherein a first portion of said windowlocated furthest away from said particular side of said screen isexposed before a second portion of said window located closer to saidparticular side of said screen is exposed.
 46. The method as claimed inclaim 45, wherein said primary display is a broadcast program.
 47. Themethod as claimed in claim 46, wherein said additional informationcontained in said window relates to said broadcast program.
 48. Themethod as claimed in claim 45, wherein said primary display is acomputer-generated graphic display.
 49. The method as claimed in claim48, wherein said computer-generated graphic display contains informationrelating to a broadcast program, and wherein said additional informationcontained in said window relates to said broadcast program.
 50. Themethod as claimed in claim 45, wherein said step (c1a) comprises thesteps of: (c1a1) inputting a first command from a user via an inputdevice; and (c1a2) causing said primary display to slide off of saidwindow in response to said first command.
 51. The method as claimed inclaim 50, further comprising the step of: (d) ceasing to display saidwindow in response to a second command input from said user via saidinput device.
 52. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein said step(d) comprises the step of: (d1) sliding said primary display on top ofsaid window when said second command is input after said window isdisplayed.
 53. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein said step (d)comprises the step of: (d1) immediately and entirely redisplaying saidprimary display when said second command is input while said window isdisplayed.
 54. The method as claimed in claim 43, wherein said step (c)comprises the step of: (c1) exposing said window by rolling up at leasta portion of said primary display.
 55. The method as claimed in claim54, wherein said step (c1) comprises the step of: (c1a) rolling up saidprimary display in a particular direction towards a particular side ofscreen, wherein a first portion of said window located furthest awayfrom said particular side of said screen is exposed before a secondportion of said window located closer to said particular side of saidscreen is exposed.
 56. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein saidstep (c1a) comprises the step of: (c1a1) rolling up said primary displayin said particular direction such that at least a portion of saidprimary display located furthest away from said particular side of saidscreen is no longer displayed.
 57. The method as claimed in claim 55,wherein said primary display is a broadcast program.
 58. The method asclaimed in claim 57, wherein said additional information contained insaid window relates to said broadcast program.
 59. The method as claimedin claim 55, wherein said primary display is a computer-generatedgraphic display.
 60. The method as claimed in claim 59, wherein saidcomputer-generated graphic display contains information relating to abroadcast program, and wherein said additional information contained insaid window relates to said broadcast program.
 61. The method as claimedin claim 54, wherein said step (c1) comprises the steps of: (c1a)inputting a first command from a user via an input device; and (c1b)causing said primary display to roll up off of said window in responseto said first command.
 62. The method as claimed in claim 61, furthercomprising the step of: (d) ceasing to display said window in responseto a second command input from said user via said input device.
 63. Themethod as claimed in claim 62, wherein said step (d) comprises the stepof: (d1) unrolling said primary display back on top of said window whensaid second command is input after said window is displayed.
 64. Themethod as claimed in claim 62, wherein said step (d) comprises the stepof: (d1) immediately and entirely redisplaying said primary display whensaid second command is input after said window is displayed.
 65. Themethod as claimed in claim 43, wherein said step (c) comprises the stepof: (c1) exposing said window by disintegrating at least a portion ofsaid primary display in a piecewise fashion.
 66. The method as claimedin claim 65, wherein said primary display is a broadcast program. 67.The method as claimed in claim 66, wherein said additional informationcontained in said window relates to said broadcast program.
 68. Themethod as claimed in claim 65, wherein said primary display is acomputer-generated graphic display.
 69. The method as claimed in claim68, wherein said computer-generated graphic display contains informationrelating to a broadcast program, and wherein said additional informationcontained in said window relates to said broadcast program.
 70. Themethod as claimed in claim 65, wherein said step (c1) comprises thesteps of: (c1a) inputting a first command from a user via an inputdevice; and (c1b) causing said primary display to disintegrate off ofsaid window in response to said first command.
 71. The method as claimedin claim 70, further comprising the step of: (d) ceasing to display saidwindow in response to a second command input from said user via saidinput device.
 72. The method as claimed in claim 71, wherein said step(d) comprises the step of: (d1) reforming said primary display over saidwindow in a piecewise fashion when said second command is input aftersaid window is displayed.
 73. The method as claimed in claim 71, whereinsaid step (d) comprises the step of: (d1) immediately and entirelyredisplaying said primary display when said second command is inputafter said window is displayed.
 74. A method for displaying a primarydisplay and a window containing additional information, comprising thesteps of: (a) displaying said primary display on a screen of a display;(b) generating said window containing said additional information; (c)sliding said primary display in a particular direction off said screensuch that at least a portion of said primary display exits a particularside of said screen and such that at least a remaining portion of saidscreen is unoccupied by said primary display; and (d) sliding saidwindow onto said screen such that said window occupies at least some ofsaid remaining portion of said screen.
 75. The method as claimed inclaim 74, wherein said step (d) comprises the step of: (d1) sliding saidwindow onto said screen in said particular direction.
 76. The method asclaimed in claim 75, wherein said step (d1) comprises the step of: (d1a)sliding said window onto said screen simultaneously when said primarydisplay is slid off said screen, wherein a side of said window which isclosest to said particular side of said screen is disposed against aside of said primary display which is furthest from said particular sideof said screen so as to give an appearance that said window pushes saidprimary display off said screen in said particular direction.
 77. Themethod as claimed in claim 75, wherein said primary display is abroadcast program.
 78. The method as claimed in claim 77, wherein saidadditional information contained in said window relates to saidbroadcast program.
 79. The method as claimed in claim 75, wherein saidprimary display is a computer-generated graphic display.
 80. The methodas claimed in claim 79, wherein said computer-generated graphic displaycontains information relating to a broadcast program, and wherein saidadditional information contained in said window relates to saidbroadcast program.
 81. The method as claimed in claim 76, wherein saidstep (c) comprises the steps of: (c1) inputting a first command from auser via an input device; and (c1) causing said primary display to slideoff of said window in response to said first command.
 82. The method asclaimed in claim 81, further comprising the step of: (e) ceasing todisplay said window in response to a second command input from said uservia said input device.
 83. The method as claimed in claim 82, whereinsaid step (e) comprises the step of: (e1) sliding said window off ofsaid screen in a second direction which is opposite to said particulardirection and sliding said primary display onto said window in saidsecond direction when said second command is input after said window isdisplayed.
 84. The method as claimed in claim 82, wherein said step (e)comprises the step of: (e1) immediately and entirely redisplaying saidprimary display when said second command is input after said window isdisplayed.